Stanley Dragon Boat Race

Today is Dragon Boat Festival (or Tuen Ng Festival). It is well-known traditions of the festival and also one of most important Chinese Cultural Heritage. On 5th day of 5th month of Chinese Lunar Calendar, Dragon Boat Festival is observed by Chinese people. As usual, dragon boat race is held at Stanley Beach today. There is the largest race in Hong Kong and is full of carnival atmosphere.

In the tradition, dragon boat race is participated by local fishermen. Later, about 1970s, many and many foreigners began to take part in the race. Some large-scale corporate teams compete each other. It can build the team spirit, enhance the morale and reinforce the organizational unity. Nowadays, dragon boat race at Stanley is developed as the international tour events in Hong Kong.

Dragon Boat race is becoming more and more welcome by the foreigners. However, I am very inquisitive whether they like to eat the rice dumplings. This is called as Zong Zi (粽子) which is a popular food in Dragon Boat Festival. In the legend, Qu Yuan (屈原) who was the great patriot poet near three thousand years ago killed himself into the Miluo River (汨羅江). In order to prevent the fishes to snap his body, the people wrapped the rice, yolk of egg, meat and other foods in bamboo leaves and throw it into the river to feed the fishes. Although the body of Qu Yuan failed to be found, Zong Zi is widely spread to now and its shape is becoming triangular and pyramidal.

Today, the weather is very hot as steamer, more than 4000 local and international paddles from over 220 teams for boat racing. On the beach, there are overcrowded and packed with team members, racers, visitors, tourists, spectators and swimmers. In the past, many young girls dressed the sexy swimming wear for attracting many photographers' shooting, but it seldom appears today.  Whereas the racers dress up the  pirate, wear the headgear of mouse mickey and panda, they are kept the eye of some photographers on them.

In the sea, the racers devote all their engergies to the Dragon Boat race. When reaching the destination, they breast the tape and raise their arm with cheer. I take some photo for record of this wonderful race as below: